Before Game 3 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays was tied for the longest ever in MLB history, the national anthem was performed by Brad Paisley.
More news: What’s the Longest Game in World Series History?
Before the game that Monday night’s marathon tied for longest in World Series history — an 18-inning thriller during Game 3 of the 2018 World Series — the national anthem was performed by Brad Paisley.
The last time a Fall Classic contest went to extra innings — Game 1 of the 2024 World Series — the national anthem was performed by Brad Paisley. When Game 2 of the 2017 World Series went to 11 innings, guess who performed the national anthem?
The improbable nature of why World Series games tend to surpass nine innings when Paisley is performing will never be explained, but the fact that the country music star has performed before four World Series games that went 10+ frames is beyond baffling.
Specifically for Dodgers fans, Paisley performing is usually a good omen. The Dodgers won all but one of the thrilling extra-inning games that he performed at, dropping Game 2 of the 2017 World Series to the Houston Astros.
More news: Blue Jays Manager Reveals Plan Against Shohei Ohtani for Rest of World Series
Paisley has three GRAMMY Award wins and 18 nominations across his prolific career, winning his first in 2007. He is also extremely selfless in his philanthropy, organizing the Brad Paisley Foundation in 2001 to aid the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, among other organizations. He also donated instruments in support of the MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund to help victims of the 2010 Tennessee floods.
Paisley was also a part of the emotional “I Love L.A.” cover of the popular Randy Newman song at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards in the wake of the devastating wildfires that ravaged the Greater Los Angeles Area earlier this year.
It is the same song that plays after each Dodgers home win, including the three extra-innings thrillers that Paisley’s performances preceded.
More news: Blue Jays Manager Calls Out Umpire for Missed Call in World Series Game 3
For more MLB news, head to Newsweek Sports.
